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Mercedes-Benz ute to use Navara underpinnings

Date
April 8, 2015 - 2:51PM


German giant reveals new details of its groundbreaking workhorse model.



Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that its upcoming ute will be based on Nissan's new Navara.

A joint statement released by its parent company, Daimler, alongside the Renault-Nissan Alliance, confirmed the upcoming ute will be a dual-cab offering with the ability to carry a one-tonne load.

The model will share its architecture with the Nissan, though Mercedes will put its own spin on the ute's engineering and design.
A Mercedes-Benz sketch depicting how the ute may look.

A Mercedes-Benz sketch depicting how the ute may look. Photo: Supplied

Like the Navara, Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger utes, the Mercedes-Benz trayback will not be sold in North America - easily the world's largest market for pickup vehicles.

Instead, the joint statement says "the primary target markets for the truck are Europe, Australia, South Africa and Latin America".

Daimler chair and Mercedes-Benz chief Dieter Zetsche says working with Nissan and Renault allowed his brand to "drastically reduce the time and cost" involved in developing a ute.

"Entering the rapidly growing segment of midsize pickups is an important step in continuing our global growth path," he says.

Australian Mercedes-Benz utes are likely to be built alongside European-market models in Barcelona on the same line as exiting Nissan and upcoming Renault utes.

That would put it at a disadvantage against rival models built in Thailand, which enjoys an exemption to the five per cent vehicle import tariffs thanks to a tree trade agreement between Bangkok and Canberra.

Mercedes-Benz has been working with Renault and Nissan for five years on a variety of products including the next-generation Renault Twingo and Smart city cars.